Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Last month I mentioned just
a handful of what I consider interesting non-political talk shows, including
some on the air and one available as a podcast. This was in response to a letter
from reader Evelyn in Sylmar, who lamented a lack of choice regarding many talk
shows.

The limited handful was on
purpose. I didn’t want to mention many because I wanted to see what you thought.
And as always, you came through. Here is a sample:

Michael R. Moore or Duarte,
who has been reading the Pasadena Star News for over 52 years (thank you!)
wrote, “I could not believe you overlooked one individual. I will assume it was
simply an oversight ... I am referring of course to Leon Kaplan's "Motor Man"
radio show on KABC every Sunday morning from 8:00 am to 10:00 a.m., where he
helps so many callers with their car, truck, motorcycle, and airplane questions.
He has been on the air for DECADES. It is a first class show and very
educational.”

Saundra Sheffer of San
Dimas says: “Anybody who wants humor, stories, memoirs, issues, etc, etc. would
do well to check out KPCC (89.3 FM). Weekend programming is different from
weekday programming. Try it all!

“I especially recommend
Larry Mantle (weekdays 11 - 1) for issues. The wonderful Click and Clack the
Tapit Brothers are still on via re-runs on Saturday mornings, along with the
quiz show Wait, wait, don't tell me! Then there's Garrison Keillor and his
weekly mix of humor, fake ads, corny jokes, the week in Lake Wobegon, some hymns
thrown in now and then--real down home stuff. Science, recipes, you can find it
all on KPCC. They strive to be non-partisan and equal when it comes to politics
and controversial issues”

Edward Larkin of San
Gabriel wrote: “Here is one I enjoy ... it's on Saturday morning 7-9 on KSPN
710 AM) and it's called “Weekend Warrior” and it features an Orthopedic Doctor
who answers questions from the listeners on their sports injuries. The show is
part medicine and part philosophy ... Give it a try.” (I can use that
one).

One reader mentioned Dennis
Prager, heard locally on KRLA (1110 AM) 9 a.m. to 12 noon or on KTIE (590 AM) in
the Inland Empire 7 - 10 p.m. I had to disqualify his program from the
discussion, though, since it is a political talk show (even if it is one of the
better of the genre) and this discussion is on non-political shows.

Of course what column on
non-political talk shows would be complete without mention of The Tom Leykis
Show? Yes, he does get political -- politics was Leykis’ first entry into talk
-- but for the most part it is politically incorrect. Relationship advice
from a male perspective (i.e. how to bag a chick) along with ... well, maybe
that’s about it ... (BlowMeUpTom.Com).

LARadio.Com is shutting
down. Again. This time I think it’s for good. It was actually supposed to be
gone already but site owner Don Barrett just can’t get radio out of his blood.
The problem is the site still makes little money for the time spent reporting
and Barrett wants to spend more time with his family. Expect it to shut down by
the end of the month, after he is done highlighting radio’s best on and off-air
people, and allowing readers to reminisce.